August 25, 2018

Mt 23: 1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.

They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven.

Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

The greatest shall be the servant

It’s nice to be appreciated. It feels good when we are noticed, or singled out for something special that we have done. Today’s Gospel invites us to try to forget about honor due to our earthly status, and instead focus on our heart’s relationship with God. In the First Principle and Foundation, St. Ignatius invites us to pray to seek neither honor nor dishonor.

It can be difficult to put aside what others are thinking of us, or to ignore how “successful” we are in the eyes of the world. But Jesus reminds us that the world’s standard is not the standard by which we are measured. To whom in your life are you being invited to be a serve? Can you do that in a way that only God knows about?

—The Jesuit Prayer team

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we seek to be like you and put aside the opinions of the world. Grant us the humility to see ourselves as you do, so that we may be free to serve others as you served your disciples. We pray this in your holy name. Amen.

—The Jesuit Prayer team

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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.

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August 25, 2018

Mt 23: 1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.

They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven.

Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

The greatest shall be the servant

It’s nice to be appreciated. It feels good when we are noticed, or singled out for something special that we have done. Today’s Gospel invites us to try to forget about honor due to our earthly status, and instead focus on our heart’s relationship with God. In the First Principle and Foundation, St. Ignatius invites us to pray to seek neither honor nor dishonor.

It can be difficult to put aside what others are thinking of us, or to ignore how “successful” we are in the eyes of the world. But Jesus reminds us that the world’s standard is not the standard by which we are measured. To whom in your life are you being invited to be a serve? Can you do that in a way that only God knows about?

—The Jesuit Prayer team

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we seek to be like you and put aside the opinions of the world. Grant us the humility to see ourselves as you do, so that we may be free to serve others as you served your disciples. We pray this in your holy name. Amen.